Sealed window assembly



April 1954 K. LEE'VERS ETAL 2,676,366

SEALED WINDOW ASSEMBLY Fild March 26, 1951 INVENTORS @Ke/z/wZ/zcPeeue/v BY Jojeyafz m Zabs ATraQA Ey Patented Apr. 27, 1954 SEALED WINDOW ASSEMBLY Kenneth Leevers, Tubbs, Tacoma, Sash & Door (30., tion of Washington Grapeview, and Joseph W. Wash., assignors to Tacoma Tacoma, Wash., a corpora- Application March 26, 1951, Serial No. 217,574

3 Claims.

The present invention relates to a sealed window assembly, including a sealed window sash and a novel weather strip element, the assembly being particularly suited for use in the construction of prefabricated buildings.

It is a primary object of the present invention to provide a window assembly which may be prefabricated but which, at the same time, is eifioiently weather sealed.

It is another object of this invention to provide a window assembly which in use remains efficiently weather sealed in spite of dimensional changes occurring in the window members because of humidity changes or other factors.

Still another object of the present invention is the provision of a window assembly which, while efficiently weather sealed, may be prefabricated in a minimum number of subassemblies comprising the sash, the top frame members and the side frame members which may be stocked in standard sizes requiring a minimum inventory and a minimum of storage space.

It is another object of this invention to provide a sealed window assembly which may be prefabricated with the sash balance installed and with the frame members in adjusted tension facilitating installation and promoting easy operation of the window.

it is another object of this invention to provide a prefabricated sealed window assembly which may be installed in a minimum time and which, though prefabricated, is comparable in cost to a conventional window.

It is another important object of this invention to ates smoothly and easily under diverse climatic conditions and in diverse types of installations.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a sealed window sash which is demountable after installation but which may be secured tightly to the frame members of the window.

It is another object of this invention to provide a demountable window sash which may be seecured tightly to its containing members both in the plane of the sash and in a direction perpendicular thereto.

Still a further object of the present invention is the provision of a weather strip for use particularly in the construction of prefabricated sealed window assemblies which permits free operation of the window sash while automatically oompensating for dimensional changes in the structural components of the window, i. e. while main taining a tight seal even, though the structural provide a sealed window assembly which opera components may swell and shrink with changes in atmospheric humidity.

The manner in which the foregoing and other objects of this invention are accomplished will be apparent from the accompanying specification and claims considered together with the drawings, wherein like reference numerals indicate like parts, and wherein:

Figure 1 is a view partly in section taken along the lines i-l of Figure 2;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary view in elevation of the presently described sealed window assembly, the view being partly broken away better to show the construction of the assembly;

Figure 3 is a sectional fragmentary view taken along the lines 3-3 of Figure 2 and illustrating particularly the manner of mounting the sash component of the presently described sealed window assembly; and

Figure 4 is a detail sectional view illustrating the mode of operation of the weather strip ele ment employed in the presently described sealed window assembly.

Generally stated the sealed window assembly of the present invention comprises frame members having longitudinal guideways therein. Slidably mounted within the guideways of the frame are one or more window sashes, each comprising a top piece, a bottom piece, and side pieces interconnecting the top and bottom pieces.

The side pieces of the window sash are divided longitudinally into two lapped sections, the overlapping surfaces of each of the sections having an inward inclination. Screw means are employed for holding the overlapped sections together, the screw drawing the meeting overlapped and edge surfacesof the pieces tightly together. As a result, the sash is secured to the rest of the window in two directions, i. e. in the plane of the window and in a direction perpendicular thereto. The outermost of the sash sections is formed with a longitudinally extending groove on each of its side faces. The sash then may be mounted slidably within the guideways of the window frame by interconnecting it to the latter through a weather strip of suitable construction.

In the form disclosed herein, the weather strip element comprises a piece of resilient sheet material which is substantially U-shaped in transverse cross section. The opposed sides of the Weather strip are provided at their free ends with inwardly projecting lateral extensions. These are adapted to be inserted in the grooves in the side piece component of thesash, while the central portion of the weather. strip is adapted to be secured within the guideway in the frame of the window. In this manner the sash is attached to the window frame in weather sealed relationship thereto, the weather stripping, because of its resilient character, following the sash unit in its phase of contraction and expansion. This is accomplished, furthermore, while still permitting the free movement of the sash within the frame.

Considering the presently described sealed window assembly in greater detail and with particular reference to the drawings:

As is particularly apparent from Figures 1 and 3, the sealed window may be installed in the conventional environment wherein it is contained within structural members including the studs i0. Within the opening defined in part by the studs are the vertical window frame members or stiles l i. These may be of identical construc tion, being provided with the longitudinal, spaced apart projections it, it and .22. These projections define guideways adapted to receive the window sash, projection is corresponding to the conventional trim stop, and projection iii corresponding to the conventional parting stop or di-i vider. Projection 22 is adapted to fit within a recess in the blind stop 25. The framing assembly also may include casing the outer molding strip 23.

Secured within the guideways formed by frame member iii are the weather strip elements it, These preferably comprise strips of resilient material such as sheet metal. They are generally Ushaped transverse cross section and have opposed sides provided at their free ends with inwardly projecting lateral extensions, which preferably are disposed at substantially right angle to the sides.

Thus weather strip 3% is formed with a central section 34 and with opposed side sections Each of the side sections has an inwardly projecting extension, these being indicated at 2a, t2 respectively. Similarly weather strip 32 has a central section it, and opposite side sections 48, the latter having, respectively, inwardly directed extensions zit, iiii. "Weather strips and 32 are secured within their respective guid-eways by suitable means, such as the tacks 5d, These preferably penetrate the central sections 34-, Ml of the weather strips along substantially their longitudinal center lines, for a reason which will appear hereinafter.

The window sash included in the presently described assembly each comprise in general a top piece, a bottom piece, and two side pieces. Thus the upper sash includes the top piece 58 and the bottom piece 69 while the lower sash includes the top piece 82 and a bottom piece which is not illustrated but which is of conventional construction. It will be apparent that the joint between top piece 53 and the upper cross piece of the window frame, as well as that of the bottom piece of the lower sash and the sill may be weather stripped in conventional manner. Also, the meeting surfaces of bottom piece '38 of the top sash and top piece 52 of the bottom sash, which together form the check rail, may also be provided with suitable weather stripping. The side pieces of each sash are divided longitudinally into two lapped and jointed sections, the overlapped surfaces of each of these sections being complementary, and the median nieeting surfaces being inclined to form acute angles with the end meeting surfaces of the join Hence when they are viewed in transvepe cross section,

the joint by which they are stantially Z-shaped in outline.

The construction of the side pieces is particularly apparent from Figure 3. The side piece indicated generally at "6d of the upper sash comprises an inn-er section 5% and an outer section 58. Each of these is rabbeted or grooved to form a pair of overlapped extensions. In this manner section se is provided with end surfaces "id, '52 and an overlapped median surface is, while inner section as is provided with end surfaces it and i8 and the overlapped. median surface til, surfaces iii and iii! of section 68 meeting respectively surfaces l2 and it of section t5,

Section its is adapted to contain a pane of glass it? in the usual manner. Section 5 5 has on its outer face a pair of spaced grooves 8 1, 83, adapted to be slidably engaged by the inwardly directed extensions 56, 52 of weather strip 32. in this manner means are prov ded for attaching section or" the sash to the trance member i i. and also to deinoumably attach the section oi the sash, which contains the of glass, to

separated is suburpose, i. e. securing s ctions of the to the sections therof, means provided for upon the meeting of the ove-'iapped portions is produces a wedging effect to the two sec ons tightly toof the well as in a tr thereto. in other words, it 'ly toge .r the edge su faces lil 'it ic, well as the overlapped surfaces ng the r section which may ion as in the overl oped engag ng the which may be i through the overlapped portion of section he force ex" erted by the bolt then will clamp the two sections tightly together in the manner In a similar manner the overlap ed side sections t l, 95 oi the lower may be oined by ineans of the bolt or screw 58 engag g the threaded member As has been indicated above, the presently escribed sealed window assembly is ideally designed ior manufacture and installation prefabricated unit. When such is the c so, there may be provided three stocl sub-assemblies, i. a side frame assembly, a top frame assembly nd a sash assembly. These three finished window may provided in standard sises'of ler 'th and width.

The frame -s include e vertical frame member e shad stop the casing the mol the outer sections 6 5 and *3 0 These elements may manner, it not sign of the W 3-5 3 the inclusion of p eces assembly, the inwar eaten the weather strips acting to hold ments to the frame member i i.

Similarly top frame assemblies able construction may be provided, t 0 these being adapted, to the upper en a pair of side frame assemblies. window size has been determined s of Then after the upon, it is only necessary to select the framing sub-assemblies in the proper height and width to fit the selected sash assembly. The framing members may easily be installed in the window opening by nailing them at appropriately spaced intervals. 'I'hereafter the sash assembly may be attached by means of screws or bolts in the manner explained above.

It will be apparent that the weather strips 30, 32 perform several important functions. In the first place, they serve their normal sealing function eiiiciently and in spite of atmospheric humidity changes causing dimensional changes in the Wood components of the window in adirection across the grain. When such shrinking and swelling occurs, the Weather strips nevertheless follow, the sash in the manner indicated particularly in Figure 4 so that an ei'ficient seal is maintained at all times. This is permitted by reason of the resiliency of the weather strips, which yield with contraction of the sash members and then spring back to their original position with expansion of the latter.

Furthermore, the weather strips permit sliding of the window in a vertical direction, the

opening and closing operations being affected with equal facility'in wet and dry environments.

Still further, the weather strips make possible the prefabrication of the unit in only three component sub-assemblies, since they serve to hold the outer sections 66, 94 of the sash to the framing assemblies prior to the attachment of, the

sash assembly thereto. This, in turn, makes possible attachment of the sash balances at the factory. The weather strips thus serve an important integrating function which greatly simplifies the installation of the window.

Also cooperating in the latter object is the Z-shaped joint connecting the two sections of the side-pieces. Once the framing members are in place, it is a simple matter to attach the sash by means of screws or bolts 88, 98. Tightening J of these draws the elements closely together in two directions through the action of the meeting inclined surfaces thereon, and thereby forms a tightly sealed, unitary structure.

It is to be understood that the form of our invention, herewith shown and described, is to be taken as a preferred example of the same, and that various changes in the shape, size and arrangement of the parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of our invention, or the scope of the subjoined claims.

Having thus described our invention, we claim: 1. A sealed window asembly comprising a pair of opposed frame members having longitudinal guideways therein, a window sash slidable in the guideways and comprising top, bottom and side pieces, the side pieces being divided transversely of the plane of the sash into two lapped and jointed sections, the joint meeting surfaces of the sections being complementary and substantially Z-shaped in cross section, the median meeting surfaces being inclined to form acute angles with the end meeting surfaces of the joint, and means for exerting clamping pressure on the side faces of said sections, the inclined surfaces thereof thereupon acting to draw the meeting surfaces of the pieces into abutting relationship with each other.

A sealed window assembly comprising a pair of opposed frame members having longitudinal guideways therein, a window sash slidable in the guideways and comprising top, bottom and side pieces, the side pieces being divided transversely of the plane of th sash into two lapped and jointed sections, the outer sections being formed with a longitudinally extending groove in each of their side faces, the joint meeting surfaces of the sections being complementary and substantially Z-shaped in cross section, the median meeting surfaces being inclined to form acute angles with the end meeting surfaces of the joint, means for exerting clamping pressure on the side faces of said sections, the inclined surfaces thereof thereupon acting to draw the meeting surfaces of the pieces into abutting relationship with each other; and substantially U-shaped weatherstrips secured within the guideways of the frame members along substantially the longitudinal center lines of the strips, the sides of the strips being provided at their free ends with inwardly projecting lateral extensions, the extensions engaging the grooves in the sash sections, thereby forming substantially weather tight, sealed joints.

3. The sealed window assembly of claim 2 wherein the median segments of the U-shaped weatherstrips are flexibl in the direction of the sash upon dimensional change thereof.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 462,932 Rice Nov. 10, 1891 562,789 Arnold et a1 June 30, 1896 642,922 Reid Feb. 6, 1900 956,702 Gould May 3, 1910 980,937 Forsyth Jan, 10, 1911 1,144,046 Marczi June 22, 1915 1,669,835 Mishoe May 15, 1928 1,789,970 Dreher Jan. 27, 1931 1,806,018 Julien May 19, 1931 1,957,59 Heid May 8, 1934 2,397,090 Dautrick et a1 Mar. 26, 1946 2,563,058 Neustadt Aug. 7, 1951 

